In addition, Monica Moretti, president of Tredegar Film Products, was elected vice chairperson of finance.

Held in Durham, NC, from March 19-21, attendees were involved in business meetings and heard the annual State of the Association presentation from INDA president Rory Holmes. They were also treated to presentations from Bob Franken, managing Washington editor of My 24Hour News and a King Features Syndicate columnist, and Ruth Levy, vice president-strategic product development at industry supplier Nice-Pak.

In welcoming attendees to the Annual Meeting, in-coming INDA board chairman Todd Bassett, managing director of Fi-Tech, explained that the association had a strong 2011 and has started the year on a high note as well. “Filtration 2011, this past November in Chicago, had near record attendance and exhibitors. VISION 2012 was held two months ago in New Orleans and attendance surpassed 340 people,” he says. “It is truly exciting to be a part of INDA and the nonwovens industry at this point of time,” Bassett adds.

One of the highlights of the Annual meeting was the presentation of the INDA Chairperson’s Award, this year given to Walter G. Jones, co-chief executive officer of Precision Fabrics Group in Greensboro, NC. Jones has been a long-time advocate and proponent of INDA and he has served on the executive committee for more than 20 years, giving business advice and direction for the growth of INDA and the nonwovens industry.

“Both INDA and the nonwovens industry have benefited immeasurably from Walt’s expertise and I know the INDA staff is extremely grateful,” says Paul Marold, outgoing board chairman of INDA, who presented the award to Jones. “I truly cannot imagine INDA without Walt on the Executive Committee. His actions show how much he cares about the industry, his company and INDA. That level of caring and dedication is extremely rare to find these days and it is appreciated more than words can say.”